FRIDAY
THE CALENDAR, 8 BRHS’ Forbus pitches idea to YEA panel
SPORTS, PAGE 11
Wildcat baseball and more on area sports inside
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
April 13, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 74 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Details released in Wednesday’s fatal crash By MITCH SNEED Editor
Investigators have identified the victim of Wednesday’s fatal crash on Highway 280 at Coven Abbett and say that while the investigation is still active, they believe they have the basics of how the crash occurred. Alexander City Police Department Det. Drew Machen said 56-year-old Gwendolyn Claussen, of Hoover was the driver of a white Acura SUV who lost her
life following the crash. “She was alive on the scene and was flown to UAB, but died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash a short time after arriving there,” Machen said. Machen said preliminary results showed that Claussen was traveling westbound on Highway 280 just before 5:30 p.m. As her Acura approached the intersection, a Ford F350 service truck from the electrical contractor
Emergency personnel respond to the scene of a violent crash on Highway 280 Wednesday evening where a SUV and service truck collided. The driver of the SUV, Gwendolyn Claussen, died as a result of her injuries. Donald Campbell /
See CRASH • Page 9
The Outlook
Radney’s Beta achievements honored with resolution
Dadeville City Council talks road repair, streetlights By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Projects improving the city of Dadeville are preparing to move to the next step after actions taken at Tuesday night’s Dadeville City Council meeting. Plans have been in the works for some time regarding improving the roads around the Tallapoosa County Courthouse, but progress was slow until a study conducted by the Alabama Department of Transportation could be completed, examining the roadway, roadbed and other factors. Now that the study has been completed, the city has been working to reach the next step. “I’ll be meeting with ALDOT tomorrow (Wednesday),” Dadeville Mayor Wayne Smith said at the meeting. In a subsequent conversation, Smith said this meeting was all about making sure everything was ready to be bid out in order for work to progress. Smith also said he had met with representatives from Alabama Power See DADEVILLE • Page 3
Today’s
Weather
80 62 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
489.96 Reported on 04/12/18 @ 2 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
ESSENTIAL LINK
Dispatchers are the link between public and emergency responders By MITCH SNEED and CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writers
any hear their calm, steady voices over radios and scanners, but never see them. They are dispatchers. They are the conduit between law enforcement officers, medical personnel and other first responders and provide a soothing voice to callers. But they rarely get any attention. This week has been designated as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week to honor the champions of the radio. Many in the See DISPATCHERS • Page 7
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Cliff Williams and Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Top, Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department Communications Supervisor Kim Cotney, left, and Anita Haggery, of the 911 board look over things in dispatch. Above, Alexander City dispatchers pose for a photo at the communications center at the Alexander City Public Safety Building.
The National Beta Club named Radney Elementary School as a National Beta School of Distinction in November. This honor was recognized in the Alabama State Legislature prior to the end of the 2018 legislative session, including a special resolution being given to the school from the Senate. “We didn’t know anything about the resolution until it came in the mail,” RES Junior Beta Club sponsor Kenyatta Simmons said. “We were having a meeting for our endof-the-year field trip to the McWane Center in Birmingham, and our principal came in with the resolution.” Submitted by Senator Tom Whatley, the resolution recognizes Radney for being named a National Beta School of Distinction, meeting stringent requirements to reach this achievement, such as club growth and an excellent community service record, while also See RADNEY • Page 7
Alexander City Middle School gets new look out front approached County Commissioner T.C. Coley to see if something could As students of Alexander be done to spruce up the City Middle School middle school some. He returned from spring break, asked Blakely to come they were greeted with a up with a wish list of new look to the school’s things she and the school entryway. Where there once administration would like was nothing but concrete to see accomplished in from wall to wall, there are reaching that end. instead sections of grass in “He’s been instrumental areas around the flagpole, in getting things done,” next to the air conditioning Blakely said. “Mr. Coley unit on one wing of the has been very instrumental building and other spots in in helping ACMS with a lot front of the school. of different improvements “Everyone is excited and that have taken place this delighted with this,” ACMS year.” Principal Tracie Blakely While the students were said. “We’re very grateful away from their classes, a and very excited about the county crew was hard at way all this turned out.” work at the middle school, Blakely said she recently See ACMS • Page 3 By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Donald Campbell / The Outlook
ACMS Principal Tracie Blakely, County Commissioner T.C. Coley, Marvin Flournoy, David Jones and Joseph Moncrief pose for a photo Wednesday morning standing on recently installed sod. The grass was put in over spring break, giving the front of the middle school a new and more vibrant look.
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